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This morning comes news that NYS will commence immediate improvements on the BRP bridge where we saw that terrible tragedy occur with the loss of 7 people, including elders and children; three generations of a family gone in an instant.

Jersey barriers on the outside of the bridge, new signage and striping on the roadway.

That's all well and good; just too late.

And it's not going to stop vehicles that go airborne and cross lanes or jump the center divider. We all know that headed south where the roadway meets that bridge there are ancient expansion joints that are ridiculously higher than the roadway. 90 percent of the people who drive the BRP regularly know exactly what is coming as they approach the bridge.

They'll slow down from 65 mph to 50 so they don't get the launch effect from hitting the bridge. But sooner or later, as in this case, somebody will hit it at traffic speed and either launch or lose control of the vehicle.

Related: I read that NYPD did an aerial and TIC search of the area to try and locate any possible ejected passengers. VERY happy to read this. My former squad had the infamous "lost body" call on the Cross County Parkway some years ago that lead to that protocol change for AI's. I would NEVER want another emergency worker to have to endure that type of event.

Bottom Line is that many communities, especially out in the Southwest and Southern States, are going more towards using Automated Side Loading Garbage Trucks (1 man operations), used on Residential Routes, as a measure of safety and efficiency. Yes, these kind of trucks have a large upfront costs, but only having 1 individual covering a route, rather than 2, 3 or sometimes 4, decreases the overall overhead significantly (Thus saving taxpayers a tremendous amount of long term costs)

Why we don't see many automated trucks in the Northeast and other major cities in the country (Chicago, Detriot, etc) is because of a number of reason, such as:

1) it is written in the UNION CONTRACT

As soon as I saw these two words, all written in caps, I stopped reading this post. I'm guessing this emphasis was placed as a negative connotation, and quite frankly to insert that onto what has become a Remembrance Thread of a Unionized Worker, is disgraceful.

Rest in Peace Brother Union Member.

The lawsuit followed a more than two-year investigation examining Jacksonville's record of promoting African-Americans for the ranks of lieutenant, captain, district chief and engineer dating back to 2004.

http://www.reuters.c...E83M1KQ20120423

Glad there's included a mailing address. May I gingerly ask what is going on for this family? I'm truly sorry to read they've lost one of their daughters, and the other is ill. God's Blessings for them all.

I think Dawn was a dispatcher when I was OTJ, and she was/is a great one to work with over the radio. I'm sure that extends much more for the 60-Control folk.

This whole situation is disturbing from several angles:

First, and most obviously, the fact that someone in a position of authority would show such disregard for the lives and property he's sworn to protect. This really says something about human nature and what happens when people are granted role power - something to be very aware of in our lives as we move through them. Nobody is immune to this, though their judgment may prevent something as egregious as this incident from occurring.

Second, the fact that the volunteer side of the service, by nature, is potentially (e.g., has the capacity to be - NOT saying that it might be) more permissive of, and acts as less of a deterrent for, this behavior. That coupled with the fact that there are vastly more volunteers than career members makes the likelihood of the bad apples being on the volunteer side higher. But the thing that really disturbs me here is that some people take this opportunity to makes this a volunteer vs. career issue and paint it all with a broad brush that completely ignores the fact that people, especially firefighters (type A personalities), often take the path of least resistance by using shortcuts (usually very creative, efficient and effective on the fireground) to get the job done. Human nature.

My last point is that we still, as a community, seem to adhere to the idea that punitive measures will correct issues like this and training will prevent it. Did this individual know what he was doing was wrong? I'd be shocked if someone could prove otherwise. He just thought he could get away with it. How many people change lanes without signaling?

Is that allowed? Nope, but nobody cares because they can get away with it. Turn signals prevent accidents, save lives, etc. Yet people ignore them, refuse to use them. I'd bet some of the same people that come down on this guy for his recklessness don't use them - whether they earn a living in the fire service or not.

We should all hold ourselves to a higher standard, regardless of the legal consequences. The human consequences of life safety are much more significant and should be our first concern and highest priority responsibility.

You had me until you got to the turn signal equation. But you're spot on with regard to human behavior when given ANY sort of power. From the soup nazi to the parking enforcement officer looking down over his Aviators at expired meters.

The privilege of "power" in real terms gives the individual great leeway with regard to personal conduct. The initial impression any new officer is going to make upon the rank and file is of paramount importance for personnel to gauge whether you have the real deal, or the throw-his-weight-around on your hands.

There are countless examples of persons who have fallen from positions of power because of the abuse of said. Many many factors figure in to the equation of what makes a person be able to handle power over others with grace and dignity.

Let's face it; we've all known our share of jerks who have a bar, two bars, crossing bugles, flying eagles, or twinkling stars across their collars. Usually, the person who displays the lack of understanding of the application of power, and the restraint thereof as appropriate, will be the bonehead yelling on the radio to "go faster" or the same guy yelling on the fireground thirty four different conflicting orders all at once.

Watch out for that guy. Because he just might come flying past you, in an intersection, frustrated, and over-anxious to get on the fireground and start barking his conflicting orders, and smash into the innocent victim who by ALL MEANS should rightfully hold that municipality responsible because THEY allowed this bonehead to reach a position of power where he was able to inflict carnage upon the citizen he was supposed to be looking out for, with care. But the blinders were on Bro; from the municipality that allowed him, to the "responsible officer" given the sacred right to protect life, limb and property.

This particular incident should be studied and made part of a mandatory personal vehicle/department authorized personal vehicle EVOC geared toward volunteers, as an aside program to apparatus operation instruction..

All the things that were done wrong here should be elevated to a level of mass distribution (Edit: for education), certainly within the county, if even the people with this forum take it forward and develop a program from it, geared toward their individual department.

:-)

Hi Mikey,

A lot of inflammatory stuff got deleted earlier Bro.

OK, the "Users Viewing Topic" and "Users Who Viewed Topic" are back. If someone would just confirm and advise, I'd appreciate it.

Working nicely bro. Thanks.

The story going around everywhere is about how the mayor of Newark pulled his neighbor out of a fire. I saw his interview yesterday and he got to the point where he referenced the fire department and said words to the effect of "now I know what that job is all about."

This should reflect well on the Newark FD. Anybody know what's been going on over there? What condition the job is in?

Hopefully this incident helps that job in some way.

I've been running the site on a desktop/google chrome browser and a netbook/chrome as well. No speed problems encountered. One thing I miss is the list of names at the bottom of a thread. It felt communal. Like I remember events as they were happening and there were 75+ members all crowded into the thread. Felt like something.

These new threads had the members reading it on the bottom, but that disappeared. Also the list of those who visited a thread is gone.

I'd like to see those two features put back up.

So some people think PO's should get a free ride, some think FD &/or EMS should. Their are pro's & cons to each. Now here is the irony; When MTA gives free rides, they are loosing money and yes they may be gaining safety/security. Now because MTA can not manage to balance its books, we have the MTA payroll tax. That means that on the New Haven Line in Westchester the Mt. Vernon PD & FD, Pelham PD & FD, Pelham Manor PD & FD, New Rochelle PD & FD, Larchmont PD & FD, Town of Mamaroneck PD & FD, Village of Mamaroneck PD, Harrison PD & FD, Rye PD & FD and Porchester PD all pay Metro North and provide the primary safety & security.

Now add all the other police and fire (career/combo) depts. in the counties covered by MTA are also paying them.

Now in the City of New Rochelle's case we are paying about $250,000/year to MTA. For that money we get to respond to all there EMS calls, the jambed elevators (over 100/year), the brush fires, etc. Our police are asked to cover till MTA PD can respond (no knock on MTA PD, they have a huge area to cover) and our DPW gets to plow the railroad access.

Most of MTA's safety and security is provided by the local PD, FD & EMS and we get to pay them for the honor.

Don't forget Cap, you might also get the honor of having to go out there and untangle a major catastrophe. MVFD had to do it. Can happen anywhere.

There have been so many interesting opinions about this topic. I think it's important to mention, there has been a big cultural change regarding the trains. Going back not so long ago, commuter trains were a big growth industry. Conductors had great contracts, overtime was flush as were the coffers at the train HQs.

THEN the financial squeeze hit train lines. That and technology, ie; the ticket machine, changed the culture of riding.

Used to be a conductor carried wads of cash, tons of punched paper tickets, etc. Conductors started getting squeezed, their discretion was basically taken away.

Truth be told; there were certain days when train cars were full to the brim with MOS on particular celebratory days. Conductors smiled, laughed and closed the door to the car so the cigar smoke didn't bother the regulars.

Yes there were days like that. But those days are long gone.

PD or FD riding the trains are two separate things. IF PD is riding undercover, off-duty and the train peoples say they ride for free, that's that.

FD; how many guys have gone on a Metro ride through the years in their Class A's going to a funeral? IF the ticket-taker decides to respect the uniform, that's it. It's not YOU that is getting a professional courtesy, it's the respect for the uniform. Do not expect that courtesy to be extended to you on St. Patrick's Day or any other day in your civies.

There will be a time ahead to ask the critical questions that must be asked of the circumstances that lead to two of Philly's Bravest being struck down.

Right now however, may their families and Bro's/Sis's from the job find comfort in that God has welcomed Home his valiant servants, who were doing what they loved and did best in service of the people. Doing God's work here on earth.

May the deceased Brothers Rest in Eternal Peace, joining the countless others from these jobs, who rest before the Father that sent them to life here to do great things. To set the example for humanity of having lived a meaningful life.

As much as I love it, the photography is way too smooth. A car following that knew it would happen? That continues in watching it happen..... Then without so much as a door opening it fades to an over the rim shot?

Sorry, unless Martihn Scorsese was on vacation in Norway, that video had some serious 'help'.

And posted April 2nd which means it happened April 1st?

I heard the film was shot by Abraham Zapruder.....

PS: A very big thank you to the New York State Police and Fire Retirees Association, for originally posting the info about this Settlement on their site.

In my dated thinking I took "cross" in the title to mean like "have a problem with." Happy to see this a good story. lol

The estimate was $750. I got enough for 43.75 gallons of 87 grade gasoline.

Some will remember the discussion we had a while back about a Class Action Lawsuit against United Healthcare. I am please to report; those who bothered to fill out the forms and mail them in, should be receiving a check soon. I received one today. While not for the full amount originally declared to be available to us, it is found money. I'm definitely not complaining.

Good luck all.

Interesting new board. I'm hoping you are still constructing it, because the main page with the active topics is the "community feel" here. Without it....I dunno. Good luck with it all Seth.

And that feeling of falling forword with nothing to hold on to in the officers seat !

Oh that's funny! Yeah that whole bench felt like a potential launching pad. How about the "air-ride" driver's seat...the boing boing up and over bumps in the road. How many times did you crack your head on the ceiling liner?

Not all bad in the interior though. The brake pedal was great, the location of the dash controls made those easy, the battery switch on the side of the driver's seat, all good stuff.

The sliding window between the cab and the jump seats.....

The unfortunate thing about CFs is the body rot problems around the front wheel wells. But for durability, they could take one heck of a beating.

Much of my career chauffeuring engines was spent in Mack CF's. Surprised nobody has mentioned the one inherent flaw that could actually hurt; the steering wheel was too close to the windshield. The thousand scratches on the windshield from guy's rings getting jammed up in there was proof of the pain. This was on the earlier models like E-28 that Pete posted the photos of above.

Spartan, a period or a coma won't kill ya

Listen, traditions and the past are not lost. You're too young to be so jaded. Look up, the future's brighter than you think. You know what else they told me when I got on the job? "This is a great job, but it ain't what it used to be". Well, they told my grandfather the same thing in 1951. That's a silly line of crap that doesn't need to be true. This job is great and can continue to be great if we want it to be. We can all make little adjustments without ruining the purity of our jobs and the relationships we have there.

Great post. I'm lovin' it.

For me based on what has been reported here, the "dynamics" of this story just don't add up to a monitor catching the act. We apparently have two colluding test takers. If they were caught cheating by a monitor, my guess is the testing in that room would have been suspended, and at the very least the two people would have been removed. Paperwork about the incident would have been filed.

There is NO WAY the cheaters would have been certified on a list, one of those two then going on to interview for promotion, and then receiving that promotion if this scandal began with a monitor catching those involved in the act.

It sounds like after the fact of promotion, further information came to light, possibly the two tests were compared, and lined up identically. This evidence, combined with some notification from an involved party, comparison of seating charts, times of departure from the test, etc. could add up to an investigation being pursued, and possibly some sort of confession.

Once again I'd ask the question; what are people thinking these days? Has greed so clouded someone's better judgement that they would put at risk possibly their entire career for the chance at making a little more money? Reminds me of the firemen who got busted growing pot, the cop with the pills up at the airport, or the other examples we have seen through the years.

Remember what you stand to LOSE by trying to game the system, before you start thinking about what you stand to gain by taking such reckless and disgraceful chances. And if you have a conscience, an act like this should hound you forever.

And a PS: Receiving promotion is a great honor. Along with the money comes great responsibility, added stress, and sometimes straining health issues. Be prepared to be overwhelmed. If an officer tells you how great you have it as a firefighter, that officer knows the difference between the two job functions. Recognize and heed words of wisdom, and be thankful for what you have. Take some time to smell the roses....

....These guys fought that from a distance, didn't try to go up to the truck and pop the hood, but just lobbed water onto it. During that video, I didn't see them get engulfed by smoke or steam, and were always a full lane between them and the truck. What happened after the video ended, who knows, maybe they did just waltz up to the truck and go at it from there, in dresses....

Okay this kind of faux pas really gets under my panties! First thing, they took way too much of a risk smoking up, or possibly muddying those gorgeous gowns!

Second thing, hopefully they also had their nails done properly. Simply picking up a ho-ho(hose) could do irreparable damage to a very fine manicure and paint jaaahhb!

WHAT were they thiiinkiing??

So fiiiine...I'll give them credit for the EFFORRRT, but honestly they took very unnecessary risks on their EXTREMELY fine preparation and wardrobe. If they would have had hair extensions and put THOSE at risk as well, I would have confiscated this video as evidence and send it to the Fashion Police.

Think I'm kidding? Talk to the hand honeeeey...